Scientific name: Betula nigra
Pronunciation: BET-yoo-luh NYE-gruh
Characteristics:
Height: 40 to 50 feet
Spread: 25 to 35 feet
Light requirement: full sun, partial sun or partial shade
Flower color: brown
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Landscape use: It is very well-suited for planting along steam banks and in other areas which are inundated with water for weeks at a time. River birch is seen in the wild almost exclusively along stream banks. `Heritage' river birch tolerates low soil oxygen, periodic flooding, clay, and prefers moist soil. The tree requires an acid soil, otherwise it becomes chlorotic. `Heritage' river birch is hardy, grows rapidly, but tends to be short-lived (30 to 40 years) in many urban settings including street tree plantings. This might be due to inadequate water supply in dry soil or root rots in continually wet soil. But like the callery pears, it will look great for about two decades or more and this is better than many other trees commonly planted in urban areas. Although the tree tolerates heat well in the south, situate the tree so it receives adequate water since leaves may scorch in dry soil. Not a tree to plant and forget due to irrigation requirement. Not for confined street tree pits or tree lawns in the south unless provided with irrigation. Although it is better adapted to heat than other birches, not a highly heat-tolerant tree.
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